Hello, And Welcome!

CB becomes a fan of Ponies.

Hi all! I am CB and I have been a dressage aficionado for 30+ years. One of these days, I’ll dig up some old photos and we can really roll down memory lane. Or not. We’ll see. My first lessons were on Fjord Horses (technically, I think they were ponies, but they seemed huge to me). And then it was on to horses. The bigger the better.

Last fall my Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) flared up pretty severely. I was no longer strong enough to ride or handle my beloved (and rather troublesome) mare, Olivia. She found a new strong owner in the spring. It was pretty much looking like I was never going to have a horse of my own again. Some days I have trouble walking, or maybe I can’t use my hands well. I certainly cannot ride everyday and keep a horse going in full training. So an end to owning horses came for me.

Nobody said anything about PONIES, though.

A friend of mine had this cute pony. About a month or so ago, another friend (I’m looking at you SB) suggested we go look at the pony, because looking never hurt anything. So they set up a date for me to meet the pony, no doubt knowing full well it would be love at first sight.

Santos explains to CB EXACTLY how his leg MUST be scratched on our first date. Looks like my hands and feet were working that day.

They were not wrong. And then friend number one made me a deal I couldn’t refuse. So, now I HAVE A PONY. And there is nothing worse than a born again pony fan.

Santos is currently 2 years old. He is a German Riding Pony and is still a stallion. He is the kindest, gentlest, sweetest horse pony I have ever been around. I am seriously like an 8 year old whenever I am around him. I can’t wait to get him ALL THE OUTFITS!

White noses are for kissing!

I am looking forward to spending the next couple of years getting him started just right. (while sporting spiffy outfits and ribbons in his mane and tail, more than likely. He just moved in to my neighbors place 4 days ago, so it is convenient for me to see him every day now. We will start with a structured routine (as long as my body cooperates) in a week or so. Right now, he needs time to adjust to his new surroundings, his new friend Charlie Horse, and his new routine.

Santos and his new BFF Charlie Horse

There is nothing better than a tiny pony, I am coming to understand. I look forward to have a gentle and kind horse pony to help me keep riding even when my body is not cooperating. For now the future looks bright for Santos and me. I know there will be bumps in the road, and that it won’t always be easy, but for now it is heaven.